KC Chiefs: What if Frank Clark keeps playing like this?

The K.C. Chiefs defense has made some big strides over the last few weeks, and one of the biggest reasons as to why is the improved performance of the defensive line. The position group struggled to get any sort of pressure earlier in the season and that was going up against some lesser offensive lines, too. Now, as they’ve started to get healthier and the coaching staff has made the executive decision to move Chris Jones back inside where he belongs, the unit has come alive.

The biggest reason, in my opinion, for the improvement is the resurgence of Frank Clark. If this defense was ever going to take a step forward, it was going to be because of the pass rush, and if the pass rush was ever going to take a step forward, it would be because of Frank Clark resembling a competent pass rusher again.

That’s exactly what Clark has done for these last few weeks. If you needed any more proof that he’s been playing well besides the eye test, his stat line over the last two games shows 5 total tackles, 1 TFL, 4 QB Hits, and a sack all while providing consistent pressure. As someone who has been at the forefront of criticizing Clark, even I have to admit he has been playing well.

What if Frank Clark keeps playing like this?

A scenario that a lot of us never thought would unfold now has the potential of happening. If Clark is to build off this momentum and end up having a very productive rest of the season, what does that mean for the Chiefs?

When it comes to on-field results, it can’t be anything but good. A lot of fans came into this season with the mentality that anything from Clark would be viewed as a bonus because of how non-existent he was for such a long stretch. But if Clark can deliver a Pro Bowl-caliber season the rest of the way then it completely raises the ceiling of the Chiefs defense and what we thought it could be.

Add in the fact Melvin Ingram looked to be a viable third pass rusher in his first game with the team, which gives Clark a great partner on the other end that warrants some attention and opens things up for the entire defensive line including Clark. Beyond that, I don’t think I need to point out why Clark playing well is a good thing for the Chiefs.

Now, let’s talk about Clark’s future in Kansas City. Does the assumption that he’s gone no matter what after this season remain if he stays on his current pace? I would say that as of right now, it does.

Even though Clark deserves his credit for the way he’s been playing, he still does not deserve the contract he’s currently on. His cap hit next year will be even higher than it is this year in 2022 at around $26 million according to Spotrac.com. Let’s say Clark is really good over the next 8 or so games, you cannot just all of sudden decide that he’s worth the contract. You’d essentially be making the same mistake twice with Clark when his sample size of bad football still outweighs the good over his Chiefs tenure.

Plus, this is and was a pseudo contract year for Clark, so how do we know that Clark isn’t just going to put on for this year only to put it on cruise control again until his next prove-it season? A best-case scenario for Clark and the Chiefs would probably have to be releasing Clark and then hoping to bring him back on a much more team-friendly deal, similar to what the Seattle Seahawks did this past offseason with Carlos Dunlap.

Regardless, I just don’t see how the Chiefs can keep Clark at his currently rising cap-hit when he’s been such an up-and-down player, but the conversation of whether or not you keep Clark as opposed to talking about how quickly they can cut him goes to show the resurgence he has made since returning from his early hamstring injuries.